Prop Corbisiero and wing Simpson-Daniel called into England squad for Six Nations clash with Italy

James Simpson-Daniel took another small step towards ending his four-year exile from the England Test team when he was called into the senior squad as cover for Nick Abendanon.

Gloucester’s 28-year-old wing-cum-centre has been in blistering form this season and he brought that momentum from his club into the recent England Saxons victory over Italy ‘A’ at Worcester — scoring two tries in a dazzling display of elusive running.

Afterwards, he spoke of his lingering desire to revive an injury-hit international career which brought 10 caps between 2002 and 2007, but nothing since.

Called into the squad: Corbisiero (left) and Simpson-Daniel (right)

‘Sinbad’ has produced a series of electric performances in the Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup and these have been noted by the England management.

But there remains a sense that Martin Johnson and his coaches are unconvinced by the prolific try-scorer’s credentials.

He was summoned to the squad’s Surrey headquarters yesterday ahead of Saturday’s RBS Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham as Abendanon is struggling with a toe injury which will be monitored in the coming days.

The Bath full back was himself brought in as a replacement for Delon Armitage of London Irish, who is serving a ban for pushing and abusing a doping official, although an appeal hearing is due to take place on Thursday.

In his absence, Bath’s wing and occasional centre Matt Banahan was an unused replacement in Cardiff last Friday, so in theory Simpson-Daniel could challenge for that bench role if he impresses in training.

Another member of the Saxons squad, London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero, was also called up yesterday as cover for Tim Payne, who has returned to Wasps for treatment on a sternum injury.

The New York-born loosehead is unlikely to come into contention for a place in the matchday squad, as David Wilson is already established as a replacement who can operate on both sides of the front row.